The game Barcelona World Race is back!

by FNOB on 22 Sep 2014 It's been a long wait, but the new virtual game from the Barcelona World Race is here and it's packed with new features. In addition to the new developments, we are looking to make even more improvements, with your help. So, how can you help? By signing up for the game early and taking part in the test regatta, which starts on the 25th Your help as a betaplayer will be essential to the developers, as they add enhancements and fix any bugs. We'd be happy to hear your suggestions and you can email us at: thegame@barcelonaworldrace.org.

What happens after you're a betaplayer? After the beta stage all you have to do is study the weather, because you'll be signed up for The Game, so prepare to sail round the world alongside the real Barcelona World Race skippers, through the same conditions, but without getting wet! You will use the username and password you created as a betaplayer to take the start of the virtual Barcelona World Race at 13:00 GMT+1 on the 31st December. You must prepare well!

How much does The Game cost? Can we really put a price on your love of the sea? Well, thanks to the support of the main Barcelona World Race sponsors it won't cost you a cent. The only thing we ask you to do is to fill in this simple questionnaire, which will be easy for you with your knowledge of environmentally friendly mobility.

Renault is also setting you a challenge. Like us, you worry about the environment and sustainability, and love sailing and travelling without polluting. You'll have the chance to also move around at zero emissions on dry land if you win one of the seven (yes, not one, not two, but seven) Renault Z.E. electric vehicles up for grabs to players of The Game. However, it's not enough to be a betaplayer, you have to take part in the round the world regatta to be in with a chance of winning. That's why you're here, right?

Tell your friends... and your rivals! The number of players for this edition is limited, so tell them early and as well as racing against the real skippers and thousands of gamers, you'll be able to create your own group and go up against each other. So, although you might not be in the top 1000 players, it's pretty cool to beat your brother-in-law... and let him know it.

The beta regatta will be a great introduction to the regatta and a chance to prepare for the very first stage of the lengthy round the world race, which starts on the 31st December. As a betaplayer you will set off from Barcelona and make your way down the Mediterranean coast, through the Alboran Sea and onto the eternally challenging Gibraltar Strait, up to the lighthouse opposite Cabo Espartel. You'll have to make do with just greeting the Atlantic, as you'll be returning to Barcelona. Don't worry, there'll be lots more (and lots better, with your help) from the 31st of December.

This first test regatta starts on the 25th you win, you set off in pole position in the game, and you'll receive an extra kit of sails, which you'll be grateful for, my betaplayer friend, because the round the world race will be tough!

We know that there are few frustrations greater than not being able to reef a sail when a storm is coming in, or suffering worse than being about to collide with an island. You're on the bus or at dinner with friends and you're biting your nails... But fear not, that's over. You've got a mobile signal? Then you've got the game. You can be among the first to try out our app. It's brand new and has all of the features in the desktop version, now available on your tablet or iOS or Android phone. Go on!

If you played the game 2010-11, then you'll be pleased to know that the good stuff's still there and the less good stuff is history and there are some juicy new bits too.

As you know, the game is a product of the close collaboration between the Fundació Navegació Oceànica Barcelona (FNOB) and the Interactive Technologies Group (GTI) at the Pompeu Fabra University, as they set out to design and develop a game in its entirety in Barcelona, Spain.

Thanks to your feedback from the previous edition, the developers have been working really hard to meet your demands.

The new version of the game features:

A new clearer graphic interface, modernised and with easier handling
Improved 3D graphics for all of the platforms
Mobile apps for Iphone and Android with push notifications (reefing times, etc.)
Improvements to reefs and polars
Improved autopilots
Increased connectivity and promotion on social networks
Prizes for achievements
Virtual journalist: you report on the race
The possibility to create groups of players: measure yourself up against your friends
As well as numerous other improvements that you can see for Barcelona World Race